Anyhow – English Lyrics

• By: Leonard Cohen
• Album: Old Ideas

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the poetic world of Leonard Cohen with "Anyhow," a melancholic yet profoundly sincere ballad. This song offers an excellent opportunity to explore English through Cohen's masterful lyricism, revealing the nuanced expressions of regret, vulnerability, and the enduring human desire for reconciliation. Its rich vocabulary and evocative imagery make it a compelling piece for language learners to appreciate the depth and artistry of songwriting.

[English]

You know it really is a pity, the way you treat me now

I know you can't forgive me, but forgive me anyhow

The ending got so ugly, I even heard you say

You never ever loved me but could you love me anyway?

Dreamed about you, baby, you were wearing half your dress

I know you have to hate me but could you hate me less?

I've used up all my chances and you'll never take me back

But there ain't no harm in asking could you cut me one more slack?

...

I'm naked and I'm filthy and there's sweat upon my brow

And both of us are guilty anyhow

Have mercy on me baby, after all I did confess

Even though you have to hate me, could you hate me less?

...

It's a shame and it's a pity

I know you can't forgive me

The ending got so ugly

...

You never ever loved me

...

Dreamed about you baby

I know you have to hate me

I'm naked and I'm filthy

And both of us are guilty (anyhow)

Have mercy on me, baby

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
pity /ˈpɪti/ B1	noun - a feeling of sorrow and compassion
forgive /fəˈɡɪv/ A2	verb - to stop being angry or resentful toward someone
ugly /ˈʌɡli/ A2	adjective - unpleasant or repulsive to the senses
love /lʌv/ A1	verb - to have deep affection for someone noun - deep affection
hate /heɪt/ A1	verb - to dislike intensely noun - intense dislike
chance /tʃæns/ A2	noun - an opportunity
naked /ˈneɪkɪd/ A2	adjective - not wearing any clothes
filthy /ˈfɪlθi/ B1	adjective - very dirty
guilty /ˈɡɪlti/ B1	adjective - responsible for a wrong act
mercy /ˈmɜːrsi/ B1	noun - compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone
confess /kənˈfɛs/ B1	verb - to admit to a fault or crime
shame /ʃeɪm/ A2	noun - a painful feeling of humiliation or distress
slack /slæk/ B2	noun - a period of inactivity or laziness verb - to become less tense or active
dreamed /dremd/ A2	verb - to experience visions during sleep
sweat /swet/ A2	noun - moisture excreted through the skin verb - to excrete moisture through the skin